Vegan friendly doesn’t mean risk free

Many people choose a vegan diet for health reasons. But just because vegan beer or wine contains no animal products that doesn’t mean it’s healthier than other types of alcoholic drinks. This is because it is the alcohol they contain which poses the biggest risk to your health.

The UK Chief Medical Officers’ guideline for both men and women is that to keep health risks from alcohol to a low level it is safest not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis.

What’s more, the risk of developing a range of health problems (including cancers of the mouth, throat and breast) increases the more you drink.

Regularly drinking more than the unit guidelines can also lead to weight gain. Alcohol can be high in calories, which could increase your waistline. Plus, it can also affect your appearance in other ways, from causing puffy, dehydrated skin to spots.

So, if you’re exploring vegan wine, spirits or beer it’s essential to understand the guidelines. That way you can protect your health, as well as animal welfare.

Tips on staying inside the low risk drinking guidelines

Make some space. If you regularly drink as much as 14 units a week, it's best to spread your drinking evenly over three or more days. That’s because if you have one or two heavy drinking episodes a week, you increase your risk of death from long-term illness and injuries.

Have dry days. If you choose to drink alcohol, try some dry days where you give it a miss altogether. Find out more about alcohol-free days.